Sat Feb 03 02:00:00 EAT 2018

From power puncher, Bogere turns into master of tactics

By DOUGLAS D. BUGINGO

In Summary

Boxing. The Las Vegas-based fighter surpassed Juuko’s record of fighting and out-witting more Mexicans. Bogere has a 100% record.

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Sharif ‘The Lion’ Bogere was ecstatic at the chance to have another fight in Las Vegas, a City that he feels mirrors his own hometown of Kawempe in its love for boxing and fighting spirit.Last Sunday morning at Sam’s Town Live, Bogere fought in a style emblematic of the place he calls home. He did not possess his usual explosiveness nor aggression over challenger Arturo Santos Reyes. But he had an expert plan and superior tactics on the day. Encouraged by a sold-out crowd routing for him, Bogere (31-1) had a slow start but upped his tempo in later rounds before claiming a unanimous decision 99-91 and 100-90 over the Santos.“You know how Bogere can be crazy and aggressive with opponents,” said Bogere’s coach Thell Torrence.“This time around we wanted him to be calm but in control. Our purpose was to see him go all the way through 10 rounds and he did that very well.” Torrence said the plan was to have Bogere study and understand his opponent before unleashing his power. “Santos is a well-tested boxer and we had to approach him with a lot of caution. Bogere had to tire him out before executing the finishing plan,” said Torrence. When Santos became aggressive with a punch or two, Bogere countered with a dozen hence sending him to the ropes forthwith.In the seventh round, Bogere made the Mexican kiss the canvas and briefly showed him how ruthless he can be in the ninth round in a spate of aggression, speed and power.“Santos hit me hard a few times. But I was sticking to plan. I am happy it worked throughout,” said Bogere.Dominance over MexicansWith the win, Bogere surpasses Justin ‘The Destroyer’ Juuko’s record of fighting more Mexicans. Bogere remains with a 100% record over Mexican opponents, a step yet to be achieved by any other Ugandan professional boxer. He has 13 victories against Mexican opponents.There is no denying that Mexico keeps boxing alive allover the world.They produce quality fighters in enviable numbers and are truly a boxing powerhouse. They’re the unofficial home of legends as justified by the rich list of boxing greats consisting; Julio Cesar Chavez, Ricardo Lopez, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Vicente Saldivar, Oscar De La Hoya, Carlos Zarate, Salvador Sanchez and Ruben Olivares among others. It is on this backdrop that Bogere’s feat comes as no mean feat and hence the respect he deserves for being on a one-man mission to ‘erase’ the Mexican dominance. Here is how other Ugandans have fared against Mexicans.

Juuko (45-12-1) vs MexicansThe Ugandan destroyer was a name to reckon with in the 90’s because of challenged for two major titles in a period of just three months. He challenged and lost the Interim WBA World Super featherweight title against Mexico’s Antonio Hernandez on February 20, 1999 before another lost duel for the WBC World Super featherweight title against Floyd Mayweather on May 22, 1999. In total, Juuko battled 12 Mexicans out of which, he won eight fights, lost three and drew one. His first Mexican opponent was Jorge Lopez in 1991. Other opponents in the same order include Ruben Rivera, Amador Martinez, Victor Miranda, Jose Manjarrez and Robert Torres, whom he fought twice. Most famous among Ugandans, is Martin Ramirez whom Juuko knocked out in the first round at Nakivubo.

UGANDANS VERSUS MEXICANS

Godfrey Nyakana (31-4-1) The former WBF World Super Welterweight lost his only fight against a Mexican. Jose Flores registered a Technical Knockout in Round Two against Nyakana in 1996.

Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma (29-11-1) Ouma fought five Mexicans and registered four victories. His last opponent Saul Roman stopped his dominance in the welterweight category in 2007. Prior, Ouma had overwhelmed Pedro Ortega in 2001, Carlos Bojorquez and Angel Hernandez enroute to the IBF light middleweight title in 2003. He also defeated Marco Antonio Rubio to grab two titles, WBO NABO Super welterweight and WBC light middleweight.

John Mugabi (42-7-1) He contested with two Mexicans; Gonzalo Montes and Francisco Carballo, and won both fights.

Cornelius Boza Edward (45-7-1) He faced three Mexicans and managed two victories against Roberto Torres and Rafael Limon. But he to lost Jose Luis Ramirez.